These programs will be held at the Central Library, 828 I Street, in the 1st floor West Meeting Room. Street parking near the library is free on Sundays. For more information, please call the library at (916) 264-2920.

Book a Genealogist
Central Library’s genealogy volunteer is available to meet with you individually to help you with your family history research. Appointments are 45 minutes in length. We now have a second volunteer, so appointments are also available on Wednesdays, 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.Registration is required.Dates: Tuesdays, September 6, 13, and 27, 2011.
Wednesdays, September 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2011.Location: Central Library, 828 I Street, 4th floor Genealogy Center.

For further information or to register, call the library at 916-264-2920. You can also register by clicking on the links below:

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

In today's Sacramento Bee (Our Region, pp. B1 & B4) There is an article by Anita Creamer entitled "Daughter Unravels Hush–Hush Secret." Root Cellar's President Sandra Benward is quoted in the story as saying, "You're looking for what makes you you. A lot of people don't get into [genealogy] until they're almost at retirement because of the time it takes. That's the biggest thing. Life just gets in the way." The article is about Teresa Foley's search to find family information for her 83-year-old father. Through diligent research, internet databases, and DNA findings, Teresa's story was successful as she was able to connect her father with a previously unknown half-brother. To see the story online go to SacBee.com.

Claus Hinrich Lage was my Great Grandfather. He immigrated from Germany in 1873 with his wife, Louisa M. Haas. He was born 11 August 1837 and died 27 October 1900. He is buried in Hayes, Crawford, Iowa.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Maria Bernadette Racine, Joseph Donald Racine, Margaret Geraldine Racine, and Theresa Joyce Racine. (The fifth child, new infant Elizabeth Grace is not shown. All used their middle names as their given names.)

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Melissa Carolyn Oldham Boyd was my 2G Grandmother (b. 22 September 1833, Shelby county, Alabama, d. 7 April 1903, Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama). She has always fascinated me. Orphaned at an early age and then having to be separated from her siblings as they were sent to different relatives to be raised. She was married before her seventeenth birthday and had six children. This is her obituary from an unknown newspaper.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Arcadia Publishing has released the latest volume of its Images of America series, focusing on the City of Citrus Heights. The book is authored by Jim Van Maren, a descendent of one of the city's founding families, and includes over 200 vintage images and memories. Although Citrus Heights was only recently incorporated, it is a community with roots that go back 150 years.

Fields of lavish, green grass and groves of beautiful oak trees greeted earlier settlers, who saw fertile land for farming and sustaining growing families. With early residents' insights for agricultural use and development of roads, schools, and places of worship, Citrus Heights has grown from a farming settlement to a modern suburb and a favorite place for families to thrive in Sacramento County. The Van Maren family was one of Citrus Heights' earliest founding settlers, and this book of vintage photographs is culled largely from the collection of community stalwart Jim Van Maren, whose great grandparents started farming here in the 1850s.

Highlighting such achievements as the first grammar school in the eastern part of Sacramento County, this collection is an inspiration to the community spirit. Assisted by Citrus Heights Historical Society president Wilma Camilleri and Citrus Heights History and Art Commission chairwoman Teena Stern, Van Maren documents in these images the journey of this singular town through the decades, with insights that only locals can provide.

Images of America: Citrus Heights is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing or (888)-313-2665.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

In Part 1 of Tips for Blog Subscribers, we talked about what you see and read when you receive Blog updates via email or a Reader versus looking at the actual Blog site.

In Part 2, let's take a scenic tour of the Blog itself.

The top of the homepage includes the title of the Blog and a welcome message. The Blog is meant to

promote Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society activities and be a benefit for its members. Use the Blog similar to the user-contributed sections of websites such as FamilySearch, Rootsweb or Ancestry.com.

Next on the screen is a row of clickable page tabs. These are separate pages of the Blog that provide more space to display information. "Home" is the main or front page where the posts appear in chronological order, most recent first. A Blog post will inform you when a page has been updated. You won't miss a meeting, etc. when you read the "Calendar" page. Members are the Society's most valuable asset and

"Member Spotlight" recognizes them. Find additional help using the Blog under the "Blog FAQs" tab. The "Daily Blogging Prompts" page is a useful tool to formulate your submission to the Blog. Using these prompts helps to get your genealogy noticed on the world wide web. Have a brickwall? Consider submitting a name for 'Madness Monday'. Have a photo of a gravestone? Send it in for 'Tombstone Tuesday'. Root Cellar is a major sponsor and participant in "Family History Day" - click the tab to learn more. Additional pages may be added in the future.

Below every post is a line that identifies the author of the post. Multiple names are listed because we have a rotation schedule for authoring the posts. Your comments are helpful - make a comment on a post by clicking on "Comment". The example below shows that two comments were made on that post. Click on "2 Comments" to read them. The envelope icon will allow you to share the post with a friend. A new window
will open with a form to fill in and send. Next is a series of icons with several mediums to share the post; hover your cursor over each one for its name. Last, each post has a label(s). These are like a glossary to find a particular topic. The list of "Labels" are shown on the right side of the home page.

Is the Calendar tab on the regular web site or Facebook? For those of us not on Facebook, I don't see the news you reference on the Root Cellar homepage.

The question was in reference to the following blog post she received via email. (Bonus Tip: click on any image or photo to enlarge.)
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This is what the post looks like if you receive updates via email.

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This is what the blog post looks like if you receive it via a Reader

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﻿﻿Blog updates via email or a Reader show the blog post only, not the actual blog site. That may provide enough information for you. Sometimes you may need to see the actual blog site. In the blog post about the Calendar, it was assumed that subscribers were familiar with the content and layout of the actual blog site, i.e., "The Calendar tab at the top of the homepage...".

﻿﻿﻿﻿How do you get the the actual blog site from the email or Reader update? Click on the header text. In the first screen shot above, you would click on "ROOT CELLAR Ramblings". You can also click on the other links, e.g., "Calendar Updated". In the second screen shot, you would click on "Calendar Updated'.

The screen shot below shows the Blog and lots of additional information available to you. In Part 2 of "Tips for Blog Subscribers", I will review these items. In the meantime, roam around the Blog - click on the links to see the helpful information waiting for you. ﻿

The program will be "Saloon Culture in Antebellum Sacramento". Join Sacramento Public Library librarian and historian James C. Scott as he leads a visual and anecdotal journey through the saloons of pre-Civil War Sacramento. The El Dorado, Mansion House, Arcade, Bull's Head, Round Tent, Magnolia, Humboldt, and Lee's Exchange all stood as venues for theater going, political rallying, sleeping, eating, voting, dueling, killing, drinking and gaming. James will relay the tales, characters, and events that made the saloon the epicenter of so much of what mattered during the city's antebellum history.

James is a graduate of Marquette University and has a Masters degree in History and a Masters degree in Library and Information Science. He has co-authored three books on Sacramento, including Mather Field, Alkali Flat and historic photos of Sacramento. James currently serves as Information Services Librarian at the Sacramento Public Library, Central Branch.

Friday, August 19, 2011

The Calendartab at the top of the homepage has been updated to reflect the Root Cellar schedule for the rest of 2011 and our Spring Seminar. If you have a calendar item to add or an edit to the current calendar, please send the pertinent information to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com. Thanks!

The Reunion Special Interest Group (SIG) sponsered by Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society will meet on Wednesday, August 24th at 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The Reunion SIG, open to members and non-members, will meet at the Family History Center at 2745 Eastern Ave, Sacramento.

The program will include Rick Hanson's presentation on:

1. How to transfer Reunion database files via WiFi from your Mac to your iPad or iPhone.
2. How to transfer related photo and scanned-source files (in folders) using GoodReader to your iPad or iPhone.
3. Explain how Apple's WiFi, Apple TV and AirPlay technologies work together and the screen mirroring coming in iOS 5.

The Placer County Genealogy Society (PCGS) will hold its regular monthly
meeting on Thursday, August 25, 2011, at 7 pm in the Beecher Room of the
Auburn Library at 350 Nevada Street. This month's speaker is Phil Sexton.
Phil will talk about Google Earth. Visitors are welcome.

Phil Sexton is currently a State Park Interpreter III for the Capital
District of California State Parks in Sacramento, where he works on
interpretive planning and training of docents and paid staff, as well as
exhibit and event development. Prior to this, he was the Forest Interpretive
Specialist for Tahoe National Forest east of Sacramento. His other
professional experience includes working in recreation, fire management and
law enforcement on the Tahoe, Inyo, and Sequoia National Forests and as a
Physical Science Technician with the National Park Service at Redwood NP.

For more information on the Society, its Study Group, Family TreeMaker User
Group and regular meeting activity, see the Society's Web page at www.pcgs.pcgenes.com or call toll free at 1-866-894-2076.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

August 18, 2011 by Peter
Today we announced our intention to create the finest and most comprehensive collection of U.S. Military records available on the internet and changed the name of the site from Footnote to Fold3.

Footnote Gets Focused
This announcement isn’t a complete change from what we’ve been doing. Some of our best and most popular work has been on military titles like the Revolutionary War Pension files, the Civil War Service Records and “Widows’ Pensions,” WWII Missing Air Crew Reports and the Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

This new focus will direct our content plans and allow us to organize the site around military records. In the future we’ll make other changes that will help us build the best online source for records related to the U.S. military, the men and women who have served and the families who support them.

You will still be able to access the great non-military records previously found on Footnote, but we’ll be adding millions of U.S. military records, like these that we’ve already begun work on:

Footnote Becomes Fold3
One change that won’t impact how things work, but is significant and will probably get a lot of attention, is the site’s new name. Footnote has been a great name, but it doesn’t relate to military records and can carry a connotation of insignificance which doesn’t seem appropriate for a site focused on records related to the great sacrifices associated with military service.

We wanted a name that would show respect for the records we are working on and for the people who have served in the armed forces. The name Fold3 comes from a traditional flag-folding ceremony in which the third fold is made in honor and remembrance of veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world.

We are excited for this new focus and name because it will help us continue to improve the site and bring you records that will help in your research.

This announcement was re-blogged from GeneaBloggers. Sit in your comfy chair in your comfy clothes and listen to this program. Find instructions for signing on below. Root Cellar would like to hear from you. Send a note to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com and give us feedback on this program and method of learning.

We’ll be discussing how land records are important to your family history search. We’ll focus specifically on the Homestead Act of 1862 and how the subsequent records from the homesteaders can be used in genealogy. Our special guests will include: Blake Bell of the Homestead National Monument of America in Beatrice, Nebraska; Gail Blankenau a genealogist and land records expert; and Amy Lauters of the Beyond Little House blog discussing Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family’s history with the Homestead Act.

At 9:00 pm CST on Friday, August 19, 2011, listen in at the Blog Talk Radio website. The player should start automatically – you will need to turn on your computer speakers or use your headphones.

If you want to call in to the show and share your thoughts and comments with the host or guests, the dial-in number is +1(213) 286-6709. You can also use your Skype account to call in – click here for instructions.

There will also be a chat room on that same page where you can type and interact with other listeners. [Note: you must login with Facebook or have an account at Blog Talk Radio and sign in to access the chat room!] I often take cues and suggestions from the chat room so don’t be shy!

SPECIAL: You can now find GeneaBloggers Radio archived episodes in the iTunes store! Click here to download episodes for free! Don’t forget – GeneaBloggers Radio is about the most fun you can have with your genealogy on a Friday night!

I am thankful for my Uncle Bill Hibsch, also known as the family historian. His life-long interest in history and family history in particular continues to be a boom for my family research. My husband and I recently had lunch with him and my Aunt Joan. As we were chatting, he pulled out a folder which turned out to be a treasure trove - two obituaries and four photos. Happy Dance Time! He said there's more to come - oh, if only I lived next door to him! I am sharing one of the obituaries below (click to enlarge).

This is about the 'family lore' we all have that drive us crazy. My Uncle Bill told me about the stories he heard during his childhood about "Uncle Dock". Apparenty, he would show up unannounced at my great-grandparents Kendall's citrus ranch in Baldwin Park, Los Angeles County, California. Uncle Dock's given name was unknown but Uncle Bill suspected he was related to my great-grandmother, Ida May Brown Kendall. Recently, I came into possession of a hand-written letter from Ida May's father dated 1914 which suggested he and Uncle Dock were in the Civil War.

The discovery of this obituary filled in the blanks and provided new avenues to research. Uncle Dock was Adam Clark, brother of Jane Clark Brown and mother of Ida May Brown Kendall. Next tasks, transcribe the obit and create a reseach to-do list.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The following announcement was received from the Sacramento German Genealogical Society (SGGS):

Topic: NEW YORK PORT OF ENTRY FOR GERMAN IMMIGRANTS

A look at the New York experience of many German immigrants including arrival, settlement, and the records generated that help us in our search for family.

Presenter: Richard Haberstroh, Ph.D, A.G.

Dr. Richard Haberstroh is a native of New York City, whose six German ancestral lines arrived between 1835 and 1852. He has been involved in German research since 1984, when he made his first of many trips to Germany. He served as a volunteer librarian at the LDS Family History Center in Plainview, New York, from 1988 to 2001, specializing in assisting patrons with German and New York City research. Richard has published numerous genealogical articles, including his own family's New York City genealogy in the NYG&B Record, and shorter articles for the newsletter of the German Genealogy Group, of which he was a founding member. He is also the author of the book, The German Churches of Metropolitan New York: a Research Guide, published by NYG&B. While working with others on their family histories, lecturing on German genealogy, and continuing his own family research, Richard works as a researcher in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Signal and Image Processing.

Meeting time & location: Tuesday, August 23, beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Marks Methodist Church on Lusk Drive at St. Marks Way, east of the Country Club Plaza Shopping Center (2391 Saint Marks Way, Sacramento). Meetings are held in MacMurdo Hall, on the basement level. An elevator is available. Guests are welcome.

We advise attendees to arrive early, perhaps at 12:30 or even a little earlier, in order to have opportunities 1) to look over the books for sale, 2) to discuss a problem with a “Quick Questions” expert, or 3) to become acquainted with other services that SGGS offers. Admission is free.

You are also welcome to attend the “Study Group,” a small group that meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the church's Education Building (second floor, usually in room E-22). People who attend the Study Group discuss ideas and make suggestions for researching specific German ancestors. Admission is free.

I'm Wouter De Boeck from Belgium and I found a family member from my mother's side of the family tree who moved to California: Peter Van der Auwera, who died in Sacramento (Mercy Hospital).

Peter was a native of Boom, Belgium and came to the US in 1910, one year after his half-brother Joseph did. In 1918, Peter and his (second) wife, Rose Dillenbeck, moved to Placerville (9 Gilmore Street), El Dorado county, California. Peter was a photographer and conducted a photo studio for several years. He also invested in real estate and lost a building in a fire in 1930.

His family in Belgium was very poor and almost everyone had been working in the famous brick factories.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

We are rather proud of an uncle, Dennis Jones (b. 21 May 1911, d. 4 June 1987), who was the first certified ski instructor in California. He was the founder of the West's first ski resort located in Soda Springs, California in 1929. He was the recipient of the Charley Proctor Award, an award given to someone "who has made a significant contribution to the sport of skiing in the region [California-Nevada]."

Friday, August 12, 2011

The August speaker is Linda Lucky, a curator and manager for the Family History Center in Sacramento.

Linda will discuss the value of research logs and where to begin, what family documents to gather and what forms are available for recording information. Linda says this is not an area to take for granted -- how you gather and record data and information can help immensely or make it more difficult to record and confirm your family history.

All are welcome to attend the Monday, August 15 meeting at the Albert Einstein Residence Center, 1935 Wright Street, Sacramento. For more information about the Jewish Genealogical Society of Sacramento, visit www.jgss.org or e-mail the JGSS at jgs_sacramento@yahoo.com.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

My husband, Richard, did not have any information concerning his maternal side of his family. Starting with census research for Hazel HOLCOMB, Richard’s mother, we discovered her family in the 1905 Iowa State Census. U.S. Federal Census shows Hazel’s Holcomb family in Minot, North Dakota. In our twenty-nine foot fifth wheel we are currently traveling across the mid-West and Canada. Last Wednesday we stopped in Minot. Minot is still recovering from a devastating flood from the Souris River. Just try finding the Minot Library and City Hall towing a vehicle behind your truck. Our GPS found the Library and City Hall behind two dirt levies and no parking available. Parking six blocks away we found the Library open. The head librarian graciously helped with our inquiries. The Library had limited city directories that did list Richard’s grandfather, Darius C. HOLCOMB. We found the Rosehill Memorial Park Cemetery where Darius C. HOLCOMB, Sarah HOLCOMB, first wife of Darius, and Henry Welton HOLCOMB, great-grandfather are buried. The fifth wheel could not be driven into the cemetery so again we parked several blocks away and walked to the office. The cemetery was not flooded but there are ponds of standing water around the graves. We discovered there was another HOLCOMB family buried in this cemetery. This Horace B. HOLCOMB family has a monument while the Henry and Darius HOLCOMB families do not. Due to the fact we were towing a recreational vehicle we were unable to drive past the addresses listed in the City Directories.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Oakland, CA – August 8, 2011 – Ancestry.com and the California Genealogical Society (CGS) are partnering to present Ancestry Day in San Francisco 2011 — Saturday, November 5, 2011, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, located at 5 Embarcadero Center on the waterfront near the historic Ferry Building.

This full-day event will help you start or hone your genealogical skills. Explore the world of genealogy, listen to engaging lectures, meet with expert staff and learn about the incredible resources available at Ancestry.com and at the California Genealogical Society Library.

With more than five billion historical records and in excess of 20 million family trees, Ancestry.com is the world's largest genealogical database. Have you explored what Ancestry.com has to offer? Visit Ancestry.com.

About CGS:

The California Genealogical Society, founded in San Francisco in 1898, maintains a library in Oakland, gathers and preserves vital records, and offers research services and online databases. CGS disseminates information through publications, meetings, seminars, workshops and its website:CaliforniaAncestors.org.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

An article about Judy Willey's (a Root Cellar member) paternal great grandfather, Edward Hockemeyer, born about April 1867, died 5 April 1898.

Miami Union (Miami County, Ohio)

April 7, 1898

"Ed Hockemeyer The Victim of a Runaway" "Monday morning Edward Hockmeyer, who lived on Henry Josse's farm was driving across the Main Street Canal Bridge when his team became frightened and ran away. In front of Thompson Kincaid's property on Oxford and Main they ran into an electric light pole. The wagon stopped, but the horses broke loose and were caught before reaching the public square. Poor Hockmeyer stuck to his seat and when the wagon was so effectualy stopped by the pole a new outhouse which he was hauling was thrown violently forward crushing him against the pole. The injured man was removed to Dr. Green's office where an examination was made and all bones found inact. He complained of internal pains in his back and as he was evidently suffering from internal injuries he was removed to the City Hospital. Gradually failing he expired Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock. The lamp at the corner where the accident happened, was torn down and the wires left dangling across the street. As it was daytime no current was on and thus additional horrors were avoided. A few minutes work only was needed to restore it to position."

Friday, August 5, 2011

The current issue of Spectrum Magazine has a well-written article by Linda DuBois about the enjoyment of family history research. She also highlights genealogical societies, libraries and events in the Sacramento area like Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. Judy Willey, Root Cellar Board Secretary, describes her family research experience in the article. The article is online and in print at area newsstands.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

In an effort to promote Family History Day at the California State Archives, a day of genealogy for beginners and more (see tab above), several Sacramento public libraries display cases will feature family history.

First up - the North Highlands-Antelope Public Library display case "opened" yesterday with a family history theme and highlights Family History Day at the California State Archives. The display will be up through August 30.

Many thanks go to talented Root Cellar members Marilyn Ulbrict, Diane Maltase and Nancy Fiorini for their design creation. Watch a movie of the display on the Family History Day blog -- and consider subscribing to that blog also! (Yes, I know this post seems a bit of a stretch for Tuesday's Tip but...)